1025-99-764-7920 Cannon Cradle AMP-01-02-72000

They can now be rebuilt with a new cradle.

A new slipper pad procedure, developed by the team of engineers in Hattiesburg, Miss., uses a laser tracker to accurately measure the movement of the howitzer's barrel through its full arc of motion - from 0 to 1,275 angular mils.

The pads help anchor the weapon, if properly calibrated, and improve its accuracy.

The laser tracker takes a measurement every 100 mils as the gun traverses its full arc of movement.

The measurements are then translated into specifications for replacement slipper pads, metal spacers which slide along a runner as the weapon is raised and lowered.

The four slipper pads on each M777 must be tailored exactly to the weapon they will be placed on. Even the smallest deviation from specifications can mean a large difference in accuracy. The pads have to be calibrated to the cradle.

There is a maintenance procedure to machine each new slipper pad to the specifications provided by the laser tracker for the weapon's new cradle. The cradle replacement ensures the gun can be rebuilt saving approximately $2.5 million.